Oct 31, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2021-2022 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2021-2022 [Archived Catalog]

Nuclear Engineering Curriculum


Freshmen or sophomores who have identified nuclear engineering as their major may follow the baccalaureate program below in lieu of the general core program.  Dual major programs which lead to a single baccalaureate degree embracing two fields are also available and are described in more detail in the MANE Handbook (emailed to you when you declare a major in MANE, available from the MANE Student Services office, JEC 2012, and https://mane.rpi.edu/undergraduate).

First Year


Fall


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)

Spring


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
     
    (See footnote 3 below)

Second Year


Spring


  • Materials Science Elective Credit Hours: 4 
    (See footnotes 1, 5, and 7 below)

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester*


*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, the Summer Arch courses would be taken during the spring semester. For instructions on the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

(See footnote 9 below)

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • SoE 2…. Engineering Design Elective  Credit Hours: 4 
    (See footnote 8 below)

Fall* OR Spring


*If following the B.S. in Nuclear Engineering curriculum, students must select the Fall term as their “on-campus” semester.

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
     (See footnote 3 below)

Fourth Year


Fall


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • HASS Core Elective  Credit Hours: 4
     
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • MANE 4…. NE Technical Elective Credit hours: 3
    (See footnotes 1 and 11 below)

Spring


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
     
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • MANE 4…. Nuclear Engineering Laboratory II Credit Hours: 3
    (See footnote 10 below)
  • MANE 4…. NE Technical Elective II Credit Hours: 3
     
    (See footnotes 1 and 11 below)

Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Electives


The HASS Core for students (described under “Schools/School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences”, elsewhere in this catalog) is based on Institute and School of Engineering requirements.  Be certain that you understand these graduation requirements.

Beyond meeting these requirements, MANE students are encouraged (but not required) to:

  • Choose at least one HASS course that further develops their ability to make informed judgements that consider the impacts of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and/or societal contexts; and
  • take HASS courses that will improve their communication skills beyond the one required HASS Communication Intensive course.

Students desiring minors in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences must consult the school or department in which the courses are offered to obtain further information and specific requirements.

Footnotes


  1. These required courses may be taken in any order in the academic year shown (or in a previous year) given the pre-requisites are met.
  2. Choice of ENGR 1200 Engineering Graphics and CAD, ENGR 1400 Engineering Communication, or CIVL 1200 Engineering Graphics for Civil Engineers.
  3. The five HASS Electives may be taken in any semester; it is recommended to schedule one in each of the first two semesters and one in the Arch Summer Semester.
    •Students are required to schedule a HASS Inquiry course during their first year; for a listing of HASS Inquiry courses go to https://info.rpi.edu/hass-inquiry.
    •Students should complete a HASS Communication Intensive course during their first three semesters; refer to the link “Communication Intensive (CI) Requirement” on the Registrar’s “Academic Planning” web page.
    •Students are recommended to complete their Pathway by the end of their fifth semester; for a listing of HASS Pathways go to https://info.rpi.edu/pathways.
  4. Any 1-credit engineering exploration elective (e.g., “Introduction to [major]” or ENGR 1300 Engineering Processes or ENGR 1700 Introduction to Better World Engineering) may be substituted.
  5. These courses may be taken in the Arch Summer Semester (if the summer schedule permits).
  6. For a list of courses that satisfy the Professional Development II requirement refer to the link “Professional Development II Courses” on the Registrar’s “Academic Planning” web page. It should be completed before the capstone design course.
  7. Choose from MANE 4460 Engineering Materials for Nuclear Applications or ENGR 1600 Materials Science. Students interested in both may take ENGR 1600 for the Materials Science Elective and take MANE 4460 as an NE Technical Elective.
  8. Choose from MANE 2220 Inventor’s Studio 1 or ENGR 2050 Introduction to Engineering Design; both have ENGR 1010 Professional Development: Group Dynamics  embedded in them.
  9. Students restricted from Arch (e.g., ROTC, certain athletes) will delay ENGR 4010 Professional Development: Leadership Competencies until senior year, after the Professional Development: Group Dynamics content in the Engineering Design Elective.
  10. Choose from MANE 4430 Linear Accelerator Lab or MANE 4440 Critical Reactor Lab.
  11. NE Technical Electives
    •NE Technical Electives are MANE 4000-level or higher courses related to Nuclear Engineering that are taken for 3 credits or more.
    •The NE Technical Electives allow you to focus on your technical interest or area of specialization within the Nuclear Engineering field.
    •If students have questions regarding whether a specific course satisfies the NE Technical Elective requirements, students should consult with their academic adviser.
    •An independent study course, such as a design project or an undergraduate research project with a Nuclear Engineering instructor, may be used to satisfy one of the NE Technical Electives.
    •NE Technical Electives may not be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis.

 

Dual Major Programs


 A Dual major in Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering is available to students who follow a prescribed program that can be completed in eight semesters. General requirements and procedures for dual degrees are described in more detail in the  MANE Handbook (emailed to you when you declare a major in MANE, available from the MANE Students Services office, JEC 2012, and https://mane.rpi.edu/undergraduate).